How to Replace the Struts on a Pontiac Montana
by Dan FerrellUpdated November 07, 2017
Items you will need
Lug wrench
Floor jack
Jack stand
Wrench set
Ratchet and socket set
Ratchet extension
Pencil or correction fluid
Deep socket if necessary
The struts are part of the suspension system on your Pontiac Montana. They allow the wheels to move up and down as they go over road imperfections without much car-body movement. But worn out components in the strut assembly may actually allow the wheels to bounce, unable to dampen the effect on the rest of the car.
Loosen the front wheel lugs on the tire where the strut assembly you want to replace is located.
Jack up the front of your Pontiac Montana using a floor jack and place a jack stand under the vehicle frame to support it.
Finish removing the tire.
Remove the three mounting nuts from the wiper module on top of the strut tower you want to replace and lay the module out of the way. You may use a wrench or a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Unscrew the three strut upper-mounting nuts using a wrench or ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Match mark the lower strut-to-steering knuckle bracket for rapid installation. Use a pencil or correction fluid.
Unbolt the two strut lower bolts and nuts from the strut-to-steering knuckle bracket. Hold the bolt steady with a wrench as you unscrew the nut with a wrench or ratchet and deep socket.
Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
Set the new strut assembly in place and start the three strut upper-mounting nuts by hand. Do not tighten them yet.
Set the strut lower mounting bracket over the steering knuckle following the match marks and start the bolts and nuts by hand, but do not tighten them yet.
Tighten the three strut upper-mounting nuts using a wrench or ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Tighten the two strut lower bolts and nuts on the strut-to-steering knuckle bracket. Hold the bolt with a wrench as you tighten the nut with a wrench or ratchet and deep socket.
Mount the tire on the wheel assembly and start tightening the wheel lugs.
Lower the vehicle and finish tightening the wheel lugs.
Install the wiper module and tighten the three mounting nuts using a wrench or ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Writer Bio
Since 2003 Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Ferrell is a certified automation and control technician from the Advanced Technology Center in El Paso, Texas.
